Solar panels can be seen on top of the wings in this earlier demonstration.

Credit: Solar Impulse

In order to keep the plane light, the cockpit was built to take up as little space as possible.

Credit: Solar Impulse

"This first flight was for me a very intense moment! The HB-SIA behaved just as the flight simulator told us! Despite its immense size and feather weight, the aircraft's controllability matches our expectations!" said Solar Impulse test pilot Markus Scherdel upon stepping down from the aircraft.

Credit: Solar Impulse

A side view of the cockpit.

Credit: Solar Impulse

The tail.

Credit: Solar Impulse

The instrument panel in the cockpit.

Credit: Solar Impulse

More of the instrument panel.

Credit: Solar Impulse

The founders of the project are former fighter pilot and CEO of Solar Impulse André Borschberg (left front), and Bertrand Picard (right front), a psychiatrist and the first man to circle the globe in a hot air balloon.

Credit: Solar Impulse

Congratulating the pilot.

Credit: Solar Impulse

Here's the formal image of Solar Impulse's plane.

Credit: Solar Impulse

Solar Impulse's first computer-generated models looks quite different for the test model.

Credit: Solar Impulse

The Solar Impulse team celebrates their triumph.

Credit: Solar Impulse

Another historic first flight took place at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where the Wright brothers made the first engine-powered flight.